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          The Mount Gilead Baptist Church was organized in Magruder, which was located in York County, Virginia, in 1876.  Eighteen persons were granted letters of transfer from Bethel Baptist Church in which Rev. J. W. Booth was pastor, for the purpose of organizing this new church.    Rev. William F. Coke was the first pastor and he served insured successfully for 16 years.  The first Deacons were James Allen, William Dennis, William Jarvis, Richard Jones, John T. Parker, and Reuben Whiting.  Mount Gilead has been served by the following pastors:  Rev. L. W. Wales, Sr., Rev. George Washington, Rev. C. C. Campbell, Rev. R.H. Green, Rev. L. W. Wales, Jr., Rev. S. L. Massie, Rev. Glenwood Morgan, and the current Pastor:  Rev. William M. Dawson.     

     The choir, the missionary society, and literary society were organized during the pastorate of Rev. L. W. Wales Sr.  and the Willing Workers and the Young Lady's club were organized during the pastorate of Rev. L. W. Wales Jr.     

     In 1942 the United States government took over the Magruder Community and with the help of God and leadership of Rev. S. L. Massie and M. T. Whiting, most of the members found temporary lodgings in a C. C. camp near Williamsburg until the present location in Grove was secured.     

     In 1944 the congregation, led by Pastor S. L. Massie, marched into its new sanctuary at the present site.  Under the Pastorate of Rev. Massie, the Junior Missionary Society, the Junior Choir, a Board of Christian Education, the Youth Association, and the Pastor's Aid were organized.     

     On March 22, 1964, the Rev. Glenwood Morgan was elected as the pastor of Mount Gilead Baptist church. In September, 1965, Rev. Morgan was granted a leave of absence at which time Rev. Maurice Carter was elected at Assistant Pastor.  Rev. Carter served faithfully until he was called to Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia in August of 1966.     

     On June 22nd, 1968, the Rev. Jesse Morgan was elected Assistant Pastor and served until November 25th, 1968 at which time Rev. Morgan returned as our full-time pastor.     

     During Rev. Morgan's pastorate, the Gospel Choir, The Prayer Band, the Gospel Teens, the Morgan Inspirational Choir, the Hospitality Committee, the Deaconesses, and the Children of the King Choir were organized.  Pastor Morgan served until the Lord called him home in October of 1998.

      In May of 2001, Rev William M. Dawson became the pastor of Mt. Gilead, and the history this church, this community and the city of Williamsburg shall record the impact of his vision.

      Under his leadership, the church has embarked on an aggressive ministry in Evangelism to win souls to Christ and to "Build Community."  He has initiated such ministries as The Mount Gilead Christian Academy & Child Development Center, the Seeds of Faith Christian Book Store, partnerships have been formed with the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, the James River Elementary School, the local NAACP and other civic and social groups in development of the Gilead Community Development Corporation to  provide affordable housing within the community, Computer Training and other vocational skills to empower members through vocational training to obtain meaning employment that offers significant compensation and affords them the opportunity to raise families and help them to become move productive citizens within our community.